Crawley mum and son face the chop for cancer charity

A mother and son are for the chop as they try to raise money in memory of two friends who lost their battles with cancer.

Miriam Khan-Sheikh, 47, will have 17 inches of her waist-length hair cut, while her 29-year-old son, Kasha Khan is to have his head shaved.

The pair, both from Three Bridges, will give any money raised to Cancer Research UK while their hair will be going to the Little Princess Trust, which makes real-hair wigs for children who have lost their own locks due to cancer treatment.

Kasha said: “Like most people, unfortunately our lives have also been affected by cancer meaning that we have lost many loved ones some of whom were far too young to have been taken.”

This will be the second time Kasha and Miriam have sacrificed their hair for charity. The last time was five years ago in memory of their friend, June.

Kasha added: “We were also inspired to donate the hair to be made into wigs for children as, many years ago, we lost a childhood friend to leukaemia at the age of five.

“Our last memories of her do no justice to the lovely little princess she once was.

“My mother and I feel so strongly about giving everyone a fighting chance and as much comfort during their battle that we have been charged to take the challenge again.

“I will be cutting off all of my hair – complete shave – which may not seem like a lot but for those who know how much I love my hair would understand the sacrifice!”

Miriam and Kasha have entrusted staff at Ayurveda Hair, in the BroadWalk, to do the deed. Anyone who makes a donation to the cause will be entered into a prize draw for a free hair cut at the salon.

To sponsor the cut, log on to www.justgiving.com/teams/TheBigHairCut. To be entered into the prize draw, ‘like’ Ayurveda-Hair on Facebook and send a personal message quoting ‘Big Hair Cut’.